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Quad Cities Craft Breweries

The Quad Cities has had a vibrant craft-brewing scene since the 1990s. There are several to visit on both sides of the river, each offering a unique experience for visitors.

Front Street Brewery – 208 E. River Drive, Davenport, Iowa

Front Street is the oldest brewery in the Quad Cities, and the second oldest in the State of Iowa. Known for its Old Davenport Golden Ale and their Vanilla Porter; Front Street always has a nice line-up of delicious brews on tap and a kitchen that serves fantastic food.

Because of its popularity and growth, Front Street has expanded to a second location in Davenport with its Tap Room at 421 W. River Drive, just down the bike path from the original spot. Both are on the river, with outdoor seating, and are family friendly.

Blue Cat Brew Pub – 113 18th Street, Rock Island, Illinois

Blue Cat Brew Pub is the second oldest brewery in the Quad Cities, as well as the state of Illinois. Their brews have a more traditional, European-style flair, known for their Off the Rail Pale Ale and the Big Bad Dog Olde English Ale.

Blue Cat also has a great kitchen that puts out homemade soups, hand-pressed hamburgers and house-cured bacon. It is a nice balance between well-crafted and homemade, a perfect place for lunch or dinner. It is a beautiful location on the river, also just off the bicycle path.

Bent River Brewing Company – 1413 5th Avenue, Moline, Illinois

Bent River Brewing Company is the Quad Cities’ largest brewing company, as far as amount produced per year and the width of their distribution network. Bent River is known for its Mississippi Blonde and the Uncommon Coffee Stout, the Quad Cities most popular, locally brewed beer.

This inspired the opening of their second location, at 512 24th Street in Rock Island, Illinois, where their bottling line and distribution center is located. There is a tap room and special event hall there as well. Both locations have outdoor seating and are a close-distance from the bike path, but Moline is the only one that serves food.

Great River Brewery – 332 E. Second Street, Davenport, Iowa

Great River is the second largest brewing operation in the Quad Cities area. It is located in downtown Davenport, at the foot of the Arsenal Bridge on the river. Great River is known for its Roller Dam Red Ale and the 483 Pale Ale.

Great River has a great outdoor seating area and is dog, family, and bicycle-friendly, as it too is just off of the bicycle path. Though they do not have a kitchen of their own, they often have food trucks serving fare during the warmer months.

Radicle Effect Brewerks – 1340 31st Street, Rock Island, Illinois

Radicle Effect is the Quad Cities’ first nano brewery, meaning they make small batches of beer. Their operation uses their 4-barrel system as a way to be a bit more creative with their brews, such as their most popular release: the Roasted Garlic Stout.

As they make smaller batches of beer, Radicle Effect typically has 2-3 beers of their own on tap then a variety of well-crafted, often hard-to-find brews and the constant staple of Schlitz. They offer a nice selection of spirits, a variety of bottled and canned craft brews, and make one of the best Bloody Mary’s you’ll have

Rebellion Brew Haus – 1529 3rd Avenue A, Moline, Illinois

Rebellion Brew Haus in downtown Moline is also a nano brewery, operating on a one-barrel system; they typically have 3 beers of theirs to taste and offer craft brews on tap as well as in bottles.

Rebellion also has a nice selection of bourbons and tequilas. To pair with all their fare, they offer street tacos with a few other items to snack on.

Baked Beer & Bread Co. – 1113 Mound Street, Davenport, Iowa

Baked Beer & Bread Co. is located in the Village of East Davenport and the newest to the Quad Cities craft beer scene. They have a brewery nestled in the middle of a bakery, as well as a bar and a live entertainment space.

Though recently opened, they have already made a name for themselves offering up great pastries, paired alongside locally crafted beer, at a cool new music venue. The bar is open and serving, and you can buy baked goods to go, however, the restaurant isn’t quite up and running yet, but check back soon!

If you have time to step outside of the Quad Cities metro, both LeClaire, Iowa, and Geneseo, Illinois, have great places to visit.

Green Tree Brewery – 309 N. Cody Road, LeClaire, Iowa

Green Tree Brewery is located right on the Mississippi River at the end of the main street that runs right through LeClaire, Iowa. Green Tree has caught the local beer lovers’ attention with their Mintery Knight, a coffee mint stout, and their Mango Me Hoppy IPA.

The taproom overlooks the river and has outdoor seating. Though the brewery doesn’t have a kitchen, one can bring food in from other surrounding businesses.

Geneseo Brewing Co. – 102 S. State Street, Geneseo, Illinois

Geneseo Brewing Co. is one of two breweries located in the town of Geneseo, just outside of the QCA. It is has comforting atmosphere, cozy and warm, with welcoming staff, a nice kitchen, and great brews on tap.

The Squirrel’s Nuts Peanut Butter Porter is a local favorite as well as the Yep Yep IPA. Their brewer turned his long time hobby into a career and always has something new and creative available.

Lionstone Brewing Company – 1225 S. Oakwood Avenue, Geneseo, Illinois

Lionstone Brewing is located just off the Interstate and is a great place to visit whether as a destination or as a stop off the beaten path. They offer a wide range of their brews on tap, as well as packaged goods to go, and have a great big wood fired oven in the corner. And while they do serve pizza, they have a wide selection of other food items as well.

Whether you want to have a beer in the afternoon or plan a weekend trip visiting several different breweries, the Quad Cities Area has something for all types of craft brew enthusiasts!

Tell us your favorite local brew!

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About the author

Deborah Davis
Deborah Davis, otherwise known as QCAlegirl, was born and raised in Davenport, Iowa, where she currently resides. A self-proclaimed craft beer fanatic, she spends her days either working at a local nano-brewery or researching and writing for her blog, qcalegirl.com. While she’s not traveling around the Midwest in search of new experiences, she also enjoys yoga, reading, and spending time with her friends and family.
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